Where to buy your groceries is an important decision. Where your produce, meats and other ingredients come from — and the care it takes to get these items to you — is essential.

Top of the Hill Quality Produce & Meats, at 5325 NE 4th St., has taken this to heart. It’s also a reason why the business was voted Best Grocery Store in the Best of Renton awards.

Recently, I made my first visit to Top of the Hill Quality Produce & Meats recently to see what it was all about.

The first thing I noticed when approaching the front doors was the variety of hanging plants, vegetable and fruit plant starters and other home gardening products. Basically, anyone would need to start their very own garden before summer.

When I walked inside the store, I immediately noticed the colorful selection of fresh local produce. Every piece of the produce looked plump, clean and vibrant.

I could tell the butcher and meat deli was really what this place was about. The selection of freshly cut steaks, pork and chicken was extensive with even rarer cuts such as skirt steak being offered.

The store also had coolers full of pre-seasoned and pre-marinated meats such as wings and chicken thighs. I procured a tin full of pre-smoked pork carnitas which I prepared with rice and beans later that night.

The store also had a variety of local oils, sauces, beverages, treats and beer — all of which appeared to be locally sourced.